Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Golden Bay, accounting for 89% (5,045 people). This share was higher than Rockingham (C) (86.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,735 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Golden Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Golden Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Golden Bay, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
English
Not stated
Afrikaans
Indonesian
Spanish
Italian
Thai
French
Maori (New Zealand)
German
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,735
+1.6pp
Not stated
+54
-1.2pp
Afrikaans
+1
-0.3pp
Indonesian
+19
+0.3pp
Spanish
+9
+0.1pp
Italian
-2
-0.2pp
French
+5
0.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)
-2
-0.1pp
German
0
-0.1pp
Portuguese
+4
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Golden Bay. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,045 | 89.0% | 86.1% | 3,310 | 87.4% | 85.2% | +1,735 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 305 | 5.4% | 5.8% | 251 | 6.6% | 7.1% | +54 | -1.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 36 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 35 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +1 | -0.3pp |
| Indonesian | 28 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 26 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 21 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 23 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Thai | 17 | 0.3% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| French | 15 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 15 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| German | 12 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 5,669 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,787 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,882 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.